Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike B.  OT,
Half? I think you're being kinda generous. I'd say make 'em pay 100% of their infrastructure cost. And let the SEC and city tap into them. |
Perhaps I should have said, "...make 'em pay 100% of all the infrastructure cost..."
I mean really...combined, the city and county will recieve a paultry 3.0% of the revenue. The city as it stands now is looking at a major hunk of the infrastructure cost. I know everyone is saying new developers will chip in and new property taxes will be collected along with new sales tax revenues. Not saying that won't happen but let's be realistic...no guarantees yet.
So here we sit with a new casino, a sec and a huge obligation (over 34 million $'s, most likely to increase greatly as time passes) to provide the infrastructure.
The way things look now the sec and casino will be entertwined so tightly it will be hard to say where the sec leaves off and the casino starts. Even Rick Sowers has said it would be wise for the sec to use the casino's kitchen and banquet facilities in order for the sec to save dollars. Now he never said it was a sure deal, but left the impression that the two entities working together could accomplish more than being seperate. Which may be true, but then again, where are our tax dollars being spent? Casino or SEC. Both?
I realize some may say it's no big deal, just do it. IMO it is a big deal, why would I want my tax dollars spent on promoting a private business (even though it's considered State owned) when that's not what the State intended nor authorized. Any deal the city makes with the casino, which involves wnd funds or the sec would amount to the WND sales tax as “an illegal tax” because each (casino and sec) would be “inextricably intertwined.” (gambling and nongambling developments, WND and it's projects, which includes the sec) which is solely dependant upon the sales tax.
IMO, the two should stay away from each other. It is my opinion that a tax funded, family oriented, entertainment facility such as the SEC should not be tied with or intertwined with an adult venue. Each facility should be responsible for the development of their own infrastructure and expenses.